Resin 3D Printer vs Filament: Which One's Better?

3D printing has become an important tool in today’s world. From creating a tool for work to even creating your accessory, there are many reasons to use 3D printers. However, these machines are not just used for manufacturing products. They’re also used to create custom jewellery and accessories previously unavailable. Another popular use of 3D printers is resin 3D printing. There are many benefits of using a resin 3D printer over filament-based 3D printers, including better detail and more versatility in the design process. Despite all the advantages, it's important to be aware of the downsides of both types of designs so you can decide which type is best for you. With this information in mind, here is a comparison between filament and resin 3D printers so you can decide if one is worth your time or not.

What are Resin and Filament-based printing?

Resin 3D printing is the process of making three-dimensional objects from powder materials. This process uses a resin cured in the machine to form an object. These objects can be used for anything from jewellery to architectural design. On the other hand, filament-based 3D printing uses plastic filament fed into the printer and creates three-dimensional objects or printable designs. It's important to understand these two processes to decide which type of 3D printer is best for you.

Advantages of Resin 3D Printers

There are a lot of advantages to resin printers, including their versatility. Because the printer uses liquid resin instead of plastic filament, there is more detail in the design, and it can create shapes that were impossible before. A common advantage with resin printers is that:

• They are cheaper to build and less expensive to run than filament-based 3D printers. This makes them an affordable option for beginner designers who want to try out new designs.
• Another advantage of using a resin 3D printer is the ease of changing the design after it's completed. When using a filament-based 3D printer, resins have difficulty sticking when removing your model from the platform.

This means that if you don't like how your design turned out, you're going to have a hard time removing it from your machine without destroying it completely. With a resin-based printer, however, all you need to do is pour more liquid resin into the machine, and this will help stick everything together again so you can start over.

• The last benefit of using a resin 3D printer is its price point and cost savings over filament-based designs. While choosing between these two types of machines can be difficult, resin-based designs have many advantages that make them worth considering, even if they're more expensive upfront than filament-based designs.

Advantages of Filament Based 3D Printers

Filament based 3D printers have advantages over resin printers, and some of the obvious ones are:

• Filament-based 3D printers are cheaper to purchase. This is the biggest advantage over resin printers. Because of their low price, they’re a great option if you’re looking to try out 3D printing or if you need a model for school or work.
• Another perk of using a filament-based printer is that they are more versatile than resin printers.
• Anyone can use Filament-based designs and print in any colour or material. The designs can also be printed in any shape rather than just one type, like resin-based designs. This opens up many possibilities for a wide range of uses, whether for personal use or work purposes.

Disadvantages of Resin 3D Printing

• Like filament-based 3D printers, resin 3D printers also require much time to build and produce the desired product. However, resin 3D printers have no filament to worry about running out of.
• Another disadvantage of resin 3D printing is that it’s not as durable as filament-based 3D printing. The process of making a model with this type of printer is less precise than with a filament-based printer. This means the finished product may be less detailed, so you may want to consider this when looking into which type of design to use.
• One last disadvantage of resin 3D printing is that it would be difficult to make large quantities in one go. While this type of printer can create very small models, it isn’t easy to produce larger ones because they only have one print head. With most filament-based printers, you can have up to 8 print heads for increased production capabilities.

Disadvantages of Filament 3D Printing

• Filament printing is a bit more difficult than resin 3D printing. With filament 3D printers, you have to have an extra step before your product is ready for use.

You have to heat the material and extrude it with a machine. This can take some time and could potentially affect the quality of your finished product.

• Additionally, filament 3D printers tend to be less versatile because you're limited to what's available in the market. There is no way for you to create a unique design that suits your lifestyle or personality like a resin 3D printer can do.
• Filament-based 3D printers also won't work well with projects that require great detail or intricacies. With this type of design, it's easy for small imperfections and errors to be overlooked because of how large these objects are printed initially.

Which one is better for you?

Filament-based 3D printers are easier to use and create a better product. The downside is that you have fewer design options. Resin 3D printers are significantly more expensive than filament-based machines, but they offer much more flexibility in the design process because you can print different colours and textures. There is also a higher demand for resin 3D prints, so many companies specialise in this type of machine. Resin processes can be done with any colour or texture; on the other hand, filament processes must be done using only black or white (if possible). The final verdict is that resin 3D printing is the way to go if you’re looking for a high-quality product with an infinite number of design options. However, it can be too expensive for some people. Filament-based 3D printing is a viable option to save money or need an easier process to make your product.